By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Oakdale Football Falls To Mitty In NorCal Honor Bowl
merzon.JPG
Win or lose, the postgame routine for the varsity football Mustangs always includes a brief talk from head coach Trent Merzon in the huddle. DENNIS D. CRUZ/THE LEADER

In the 2018 NorCal Honor Bowl, the Oakdale varsity football Mustangs traveled to San Jose to take on Archbishop Mitty. The game took place Saturday afternoon, Aug. 25 and saw the host Monarchs reign in the Mustangs, 42-14.

Archbishop Mitty, which plays in the West Catholic League and the Central Coast Section, jumped on Oakdale early as quarterback Shamir Bey hooked up with Andrew Dean with 7:43 left in the first quarter to go up 6-0. The Monarchs took a 13-0 advantage when Bey connected with speedy receiver R.J. DuPree for a 75 yard touchdown with 3:51 left in the first. Archbishop struck twice in the second quarter, including a Bey 30-yard keeper to go up 19-0 with 7:15 left in the half. The final touchdown came with less than 10 seconds remaining in the second quarter following an Oakdale fumble, resulting in a 26-0 halftime deficit for the Mustangs.

The Mustangs regrouped to start the second half as Leo Ayala scored from six yards out midway through the third quarter to trim the deficit to 26-7. Mitty answered with a score of their own late in third quarter to go up 33-7. Bey tossed his third touchdown pass of the night when he connected with James Thomas from 28 yards out to go up 40-7. Oakdale’s final score of the night came on a rush from Max Moore from short distance to make it 40-14.

“It was a great learning experience,” said Mustangs head coach Trent Merzon of the road loss.

Oakdale will continue to rack up the traveling miles when the team heads to Merced Junior College this Friday night when they take on El Capitan. The Gauchos are 0-2 to start the season and have allowed 94 points against them, including a 46-6 road loss to Golden West this past Friday night. Oakdale looks to get back on track and turn things around and get back to their style of football. The road game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff time.

 

JUNIOR VARSITY

The junior varsity Colts took on Archbishop Mitty on Friday night, Aug. 24. Oakdale remained competitive but the Monarchs walked off the field 21-14 winners. The Colts struck first when Rylan Kerr scored on the first drive of the game, but the Monarchs tied the game on a pick-six. The Monarchs scored 21 unanswered points to go up 21-7. Kerr scored again for Oakdale in the third quarter to bring the Colts within a score. Kerr finished the day with over 100 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Late in the fourth Oakdale was in the red zone and looked to tie the game. However, the Monarchs defense stuffed Oakdale inside the five-yard line on fourth and goal to essentially end the game.

“I thought it was a good trip for us,” said Oakdale head coach Matt Miranda. “It was good to get the kids out there to see someone from another section. I think our kids will learn from this experience and will continue to grind to get better as we get close to league.”

This Friday night, Oakdale travels to Merced to take on El Capitan. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Merced Junior College.

 

FRESHMEN

Oakdale’s youngest gridiron boys had the week off and return to action this Thursday. Oakdale will host El Capitan on Thursday night, Aug. 30 with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m.